Book Review: Ranger in Time- D-Day: Battle on the Beach (golden retriever, Jewish boy, black soldier, barrage balloons)

Ranger in Time (D-Day: Battle on the Beach) by Kate Messner (Scholastic Books, 2018, 119+ pages, $5.99, appeals to grades 3-4, reading level: grade 4)

Far Fetched?

Ah, to make history painless! The best way is to live it!

As a too-bookish girl in the 1950s, I read all 19 Little Maid books (by Alice Turner Curtis) at a friend’s house (Little Maid of Quebec, Little Maid of Maryland, Little Maid of South Carolina, etc.). They were the precursor of the American Girl series of books, dolls, and other paraphernalia. The Little Maids were written mostly in the 20s and 30s (or earlier) but I devoured them.

Living history books that come alive, both terrifying and thrilling, also include the I Survived series and the well-known Magic Treehouse series with Jack and Annie.

Of course, had the Ranger series been written earlier, I would have read and kept all seven of them, eagerly awaiting the next one to come out.

Who is Ranger?

Ranger, a golden retriever who lives with Sadie and Luke, went through training to become a search and rescue dog but. . . . life has other plans for our Ranger Dog.

Ranger uncovers a ‘magic’ first aid kit (FAK) to wear around his neck and when it hums, Ranger is transported back in time to save the day (usually a boy and and adult – two stories woven together). When Ranger’s work is done, the FAK again hums and transports him back home with no one the wiser, except our hero-dog.

The D-Day book stars Leo, a little Jewish boy ‘in hiding’ with a local farmer in France, and Walt, a black American soldier, both of whom live discrimination. Bombs abound, along with stationary landmines that Ranger has to smell out and lead the soldiers around on the beach. Plus the reader learns about barrage balloons the Americans set aloft to fool the Nazi pilots.

Everyone Could Use a Ranger

“Ranger didn’t know what Leo was saying, but he understood that sometimes people just needed to talk. They didn’t expect you to understand or answer. Luke did that sometimes, especially when he was sad or scared. When Leo finally curled up and closed his eyes, Ranger snuggled close beside him. . . . he stayed awake all night long. . . . Maybe then, Ranger’s work would be done. . . .” (p. 105)

“Ranger nuzzled Leo’s shoulder. The boy smelled like sand and salt and sweat. Also, cat.” (p. 110)

With a thrill a minute, the Ranger books could easily be transformed into a feature-length cartoon or, possibly, a movie. Each book cover has Ranger running straight out of the book into the arms of the young reader, with a background that illustrates that particular title.

Ranger the Retriever – An Excellent Read!

Excellent stories that kids love but kids have told me some drawings of Ranger seem a bit weird (especially his eyes).